‘Juggalo’s’ lawyer wants murder case dismissed

The attorney for one of two men charged in the February 2009 murder of an East Stroudsburg Crime Watch member wants the case dismissed on grounds of insufficient evidence. Ian Seagraves, 18, and Shawn Freemore, 20, both of Cresco, are charged in the fatal stabbing of Michael Goucher, 21, of East Stroudsburg, in Price Township.

The attorney for one of two men charged in the February 2009 murder of an East Stroudsburg Crime Watch member wants the case dismissed on grounds of insufficient evidence.

Ian Seagraves, 18, and Shawn Freemore, 20, both of Cresco, are charged in the fatal stabbing of Michael Goucher, 21, of East Stroudsburg, in Price Township.

Freemore met Goucher online and lured him with the promise of a sexual tryst to a location in Price Township, where Freemore and Seagraves planned to rob and kill him, according to information and evidence gathered by police. Goucher arrived at that location and was murdered, after which his body was covered with snow in a wooded area.

His body was found about a week after he was reported missing.

Police said both defendants admitted to being Juggalos, members of what some call a gang that listens to music with violent lyrics.

Seagraves and defense attorney Joe D’Andrea of Dunmore appeared before President Judge Ronald Vican in Monroe County Court for a hearing on pre-trial motions Wednesday.

D’Andrea is calling for the case against Seagraves to be dismissed on grounds of insufficient evidence.

If the case is not dismissed, D’Andrea is requesting the case be tried in a venue outside of Monroe County, due to publicity, and has filed a petition asking the case be decertified from adult to juvenile court. Seagraves was 17 at the time of the murder.

D’Andrea also requested that certain statements Seagraves allegedly made to police when questioned, after being read the Miranda warning, be suppressed and not brought up during trial.

A date will be set for Seagraves and Freemore to be tried together, pending Vican’s decision. The two are being held without bail in county jail, but not at Monroe County Correctional Facility, where Goucher’s uncle works.

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